https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Husserl#Youth_and_education
Edmund Husserl's early academic journey at the University of Leipzig indeed brought him into contact with Wilhelm Wundt, whose lectures on philosophy left an impression on him. While Husserl did not adopt Wundt's empirical and experimental methods, the exposure to Wundt's ideas likely played a role in shaping Husserl's intellectual development in the following ways:
1. **Interest in Consciousness and Psychology**: Wundt's focus on the scientific study of consciousness might have sparked Husserl's interest in understanding the nature of consciousness. Although Husserl later diverged significantly in his approach, this initial exposure could have been a catalyst for his lifelong exploration of consciousness.
2. **Philosophical Inquiry**: Wundt's philosophical lectures may have encouraged Husserl to consider philosophical questions about the mind and experience. This could have provided a foundational interest in philosophy that Husserl would develop more rigorously through his later studies and work.
3. **Methodological Inspiration**: While Husserl did not adopt Wundt's experimental methods, the idea of a systematic approach to studying the mind and experience might have influenced Husserl's own methodological rigor in phenomenology. Husserl sought to establish a scientific basis for his philosophical inquiries, albeit through a different route than Wundt.
In summary, Husserl was likely inspired by Wundt in terms of the importance of studying consciousness and the rigorous, systematic approach to such studies. However, Husserl ultimately pursued a very different path, focusing on phenomenology and the philosophical investigation of experience.
